Cloud DVR requirements/capabilities
I currently have cable (LIve TV only) and Internet and am considering adding Cloud DVR to replace another service. I have the Panoramic gateway in bridge mode so I can use my own router, and I would ...
Forum Discussion
OK, so I went and picked up a box today at the Cox store. I told them I wanted Cloud DVR and the XG2 box, and what they gave me was model number C2XG1HOSTDVR. This thing is a hard drive based DVR, and while it works, it is not what I wanted. I can record on it, but in the Contour app and web browsers, I can only see a list of recordings that I've made. I cannot watch them on my iPhone, tablet, or at watchtv.cox.com. I just spent an hour on the phone with Cox, bouncing between 6 representatives, and the final one told me that Cox's Cloud DVR doesn't let you view recorded shows except on a Cox box. She said the "cloud" part only ensures that when you swap out a box, you don't lose your recordings, and you cannot watch them except through a Cox receiver. That's simply not what a Cloud DVR is, such as YouTube TV, which I've had for 5 years, and others including DirectTV Stream, Hulu Live, etc. Does Cox really not offer a real Cloud DVR service, as everyone else defines it?
Hi Barreleye, I'm sorry that finding accurate answers to your questions has been so difficult. As I understand it, you have two goals:
- To continue using the Panoramic Wifi gateway in bridge mode so you can use your router.
- To record DVR content to the cloud so you can access your recordings through the Contour App and watchtv.cox.com.
We need to keep one key distinction in mind; a distinction that you wisely pointed out in your original post. There are two methods of delivery for video content: Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) or QAM. IPTV uses a connection with the Panoramic Wifi Gateway and a wired or wireless box, and a cloud-based tuner instead of a built-in tuner. IPTV does not allow you to use the Panoramic Wifi gateway in bridge mode. It sounds like the support agents you spoke with yesterday were only providing information about IPTV.
We offer one QAM configuration compatible with Cloud DVR. This configuration meets both your goals. You can access recorded content through the Contour App and watchtv.cox.com and continue to use the Panoramic Wifi gateway in bridge mode. While I referenced multiple internal sources before replying to you yesterday, the information I provided in my initial reply can be summed up in two Cox Support articles:
- Pace XG2 HD Receiver:
The Pace XG2 Receiver does not have a hard drive, but it can use cloud-DVR for recording. - Downloading Recordings Using the Contour App:
Before downloading content, you must have Cox Contour TV service and use one of the following services:
• IPTV service…
• QAM service using the XG2 Host box with the cloud DVR service.
While the concepts we are discussing are a bit confusing, there is no excuse for the incorrect information you received from the final support agent you spoke with yesterday. Please disregard everything you heard in that conversation. --Becky, Cox Support Forums Moderator
Very well written. Most other moderators wouldn't have taken the time to write something like that.
Thanks Becky!
I exchanged the hard drive DVR for the XG2 yesterday, and unfortunately the XG2 came pre-bricked, so they're sending me a replacement for it. The good news is, Cloud DVR has been activated, and I can watch recordings in my web browser and apps, so it's looking like it will be viable replacement for YouTube TV at much less cost as I was already indirectly paying for Cox Cable via the bulk account I'm on.
The only real downside I've encountered is that Cox distinguishes between Live TV and Recordings in web browsers and apps. That is, you can't pause/RW/FF Live TV like you can with Recordings. It appears only the box has that capability. Also, if you have back to back recordings scheduled, and you start watching the first one as a recording while the show is live, playback stops at the end instead of moving on to the next show.
- Hi Barreleye, I'm glad to hear that Cloud DVR is going to work for you! You're right, there are some differences between the hard drive DVR and Cloud DVR. Thank you for your patience with us throughout this process! Please post here or reach out to my team at cox.help@cox.com if you run into any questions or issues in the future. 😃-Becky, Cox Support Forums Moderator
Hi Becky. Like Barreleye I too receive Cox TV service thru a bulk HOA account in my residential complex. I also have several Cox accounts as I am a vacation rental property manager here as well. I was told by an agent over the phone last night that there is a new Cloud DVR coming from Cox (next year maybe) that does not require the Panoramic WiFi and will work with any good router/WiFi service (I have a WiFi 6 mesh network). Do you know about (or can you look into) this and confirm? Thank you.
